Gal. ii. 19. / through the law am dead to the laio, that I might
live unto God.
THE knowledge of the law is indispensably neces- sary to the knowledge of the Gospel. Even persons who have some views of Christ as a Saviour, have, in general, a very inadequate idea of the extent to which we need a Saviour. This can be known only by considering the requirements of the law, and the measure of guilt which we have contracted by our violation of them. In unfolding to us this subject, the Epistle to the Galatians stands, perhaps, pre- eminent above all others, not excepting even that to the Romans ; and the words which I have just read will furnish me with an occasion to submit it some- what fully to your view.
In these words is declared the use of the law,
I. In relation to our hopes from it —
The law, in the first instance, was ordained unto life ; and it would have given life to those who per- fectly obeyed it. But to fallen man it is no longer a covenant of life : it rather destroys all our hopes of acceptance by our obedience to it ; so that every one who understands it aright must say with the Apostle, " I through the law am dead to the law." It pro- duces this effect,
1. By the extent of its precepts —
[If these comprehended nothing beyond the letter, the generality, of Christians at least, might account themselves, " as touching the righteousness which is in the law, blame- less." But it extends to every thought and disposition of the soul. It forbids us to entertain even so much as an inordinate desire. It does not say merely, " Thou shalt not steal," but, " Thou shalt not covet." And our blessed Lord, in his ser- mon on the mount, declares, that an angry feeling is, in God's estimation, as murder, and an impure look as adultery. Now then, when "the commandment is so exceeding broad," who